News
After Countless Surgeries, Still-Hospitalized Boston Bomb Victim Upbeat
May 13, 2013 11:03 am | by Bob Salsberg, Associated Press | CommentsMarc Fucarile lost his right leg above the knee in the Boston Marathon bombing, and doctors are still fighting to save his shattered left one. He has second- and third-degree burns and a piece of shrapnel lodged in his heart. He's lost track of how many surgeries he's had, with more still ahead. But he won't allow the pain or the uncertainty of his future shake his spirit or destroy his faith in humanity.
Zapping Renal Artery Reaps Future Rewards
May 13, 2013 10:54 am | by Chris Kaiser | CommentsThe reduction in blood pressure following renal artery denervation is projected to significantly decrease long-term cardiovascular events, a modeling study found. The 10-year relative risk (RR) reduction for cardiovascular events was highest in 40-year-olds and lowest in 70-year-olds, while the absolute event reduction was highest in 70-year-olds and lowest in 40-year-olds.
Scientists Define A New Mechanism Leading To Tumor Hypoxia
May 13, 2013 10:45 am | CommentsGrowing evidence from experimental studies and clinical trials suggests a fundamental role of hypoxia in solid tumors. The mechanisms leading to hypoxia include the rapid rate of tumor growth, poor tumor perfusion, or transiently disrupted tumor blood flow. Now, scientists have discovered a previously uncharacterized mechanism that contributes to – and may influence - the temporal and spatial distribution of tumor hypoxia.
OR Noise Can Have Disruptive Effect On Surgeon's Auditory Processing Abilities
May 13, 2013 10:38 am | CommentsAmbient background noise-whether it is the sound of loud surgical equipment, talkative team members, or music-is a patient and surgical safety factor that can affect auditory processing among surgeons and the members of their team in the operating room (OR), according to a new study.
Robotic Surgery: Safe But Costly
May 10, 2013 11:51 am | by Charlene Laino | CommentsLaparoscopy for treatment of pelvic lesions was equally safe whether performed conventionally or with robotic assistance, but cost favors conventional minimally-invasive surgery. Overall, there was a 7 percent major postoperative complication rate among patients who received conventional video-assisted laparoscopy and a 10 percent rate among patients who underwent minimally invasive robotic surgery.
Cryoablation May Not Need Full Anesthesia
May 10, 2013 11:47 am | CommentsGeneral anesthesia may not be necessary during cryoablation procedures for atrial fibrillation, a small study suggested. Conscious sedation with dexmedetomidine (Precedex) plus some fentanyl and midazolam (Versed) was enough to keep patients comfortable through the procedure without any recollection afterward of the painful phrenic nerve pacing involved.
Operating Without Interrupting Warfarin Reduces Risk Of Bleeding After Cardiac Device Surgery
May 10, 2013 11:42 am | CommentsA new Canadian study shows that operating without interrupting warfarin treatment at the time of cardiac device surgery is safe and markedly reduces the incidence of clinically significant hematomas compared to the current standard of care.
Improved Material For 'Laser Welding' Of Tissue In Intestinal Surgery
May 10, 2013 11:40 am | CommentsA new "solder" for laser welding of tissue during surgical operations has great potential to produce stronger seals and expand use of this alternative to conventional sutures and stapling in intestinal surgery, scientists are reporting.
Health Care Providers Beta Testing New URAC Accreditation For Clinical Integration
May 9, 2013 11:38 am | CommentsSeveral organized physician groups are beta testing URAC’s new clinical integration accreditation program standards. URAC, an independent accreditation organization advancing quality and value throughout health care, created the new program to serve as a roadmap for health providers to achieve clinical integration and accountable care.
Newest Free CEU Game Released on Crazy4clean.com: Maestra Tempa’s Temperature Challenge
May 8, 2013 12:45 pm | CommentsHealthmark Industries announces the launch of their newest game on Crazy4Clean.com, “Maestra Tempa’s Temperature Challenge." This new game takes you on an adventure of learning the importance of temperature monitoring. Maestra Tempa will help you choose the correct temperature settings for rooms and equipment.
Biosensor Detects Antibiotic Resistance And Helps Fight Superbugs
May 8, 2013 10:47 am | CommentsA biosensor can detect antibiotic resistance in bacteria. This new technology is a preliminary step in identifying and fighting superbugs, a major public health concern that has led to more deaths than AIDS in the United States in recent years.
Thoracic Endografts Used To Remove Tumors Invading The Aorta
May 8, 2013 10:39 am | CommentsTumors have the potential to grow locally and invade neighboring organs. Some chest tumors may invade one of the great vessels of the body, the aorta. Surgical removal of these tumors is very challenging and necessitates the support of a heart-lung machine. Therefore there is an increased risk of complication and death.
Spinal 'Spacer' Procedure Has Fewer Complications, But Higher Risk Of Repeat Surgery
May 8, 2013 10:36 am | CommentsInterspinous spacer implantation—a less-invasive alternative surgical option for spinal stenosis—has a lower complication rate than spinal fusion, reports a study. However, patients receiving interspinous spacers are more likely to require repeated back surgery.
Surgeons Implant Magnetic Growing Rods In Treatment For Scoliosis
May 8, 2013 10:29 am | CommentsIn a revolutionary treatment for early-onset scoliosis (EOS), a team of surgeons implanted adjustable growing rods in two children from California. The pioneering surgeries — the first ever in the United States — were performed on May 7th at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego.
Certain Bladder-Cancer Patients May Be At Risk Of Recurrence Despite Bladder Removal
May 7, 2013 10:46 am | CommentsThe five-year international study led by researchers at UT Southwestern validates the use of a marker panel to predict which patients are more likely to have a recurrence of cancer after bladder removal, thereby identifying those patients as good candidates for follow-up chemotherapy.
